Adaptation and Variation Flashcards
How can environmental changes affect species?
Negatively affects them, famine, compete for food, weather, space
Definition of adaptations
Structure, behavior or physiological process that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment
Definition of variations
Structural, functional or physiological differences within a population
Three of the KEY factors that allow species to survive and reproduce
Camouflage: allows organisms to be invisible to predators
Migration: allows organisms to travel in large groups to find food and protect from predators
Hibernation: reduce metabolism to save energy, protect from harsh weather conditions
What is the definition of mimicry?
where an organism that is not harmful can resemble another organism that is harmful in color and structure in order to avoid predators
How do Adaptations develop?
Adaptations can also result in heritable mutation in DNA that can accumulate over generations
Definition of genetic mutations
Mutations are changes in DNA within the organism creating new genetic variation when inherited
What are the two types of genetic mutations?
Gamete cells: passed through egg and sperm sexual reproduction
Somatic cells: not inheritable
How can random mutations lead to new traits?
Most mutations have a negative impact on survival and reproduction
Harmful mutations are less likely to persist in future generations (less likely to survive and reproduce)
Many mutation either result in no change, no consequence or benefit
If heritable, neutral mutations will be present in future generations
Rarely, a mutation will result in a change that increases the reproductive success of an organism
Beneficial mutations will be more widely represented in newer generations
What is the definition of fitness?
the ability of how many offspring an organism can create
selective advantage definition
any characteristic or trait, that can increase chances of survival for organism, usually because of environmental changes
selective pressure definition
refers to environment that pressure the species to change and adapt over time
The species must select which traits are beneficial and non beneficial over time
